A murder case has been filed at the International Crimes Tribunal against 14 journalists, including Dhaka Tribune’s Khulna correspondent Md Hedait Hossain.
Alongside the journalists, 315 individuals and 1,200-1,500 unknown persons have been accused.
The charges allege that the accused committed a crime against humanity by electrocuting Rakibul Hasan of Paikgachha Upazila in Khulna, who was participating in the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
The accused are said to have “planned and executed the murder of Rakibul Hasan by shooting and electrocuting him.”
Despite the large number of accused, only five witnesses, including two women, are present.
However, according to Rafiqul’s cousin, SA Mukul, Rakibul’s father did not file any case.
The certificate from Chandkhali Union Parishad and the death certificate from Paikgachha Upazila Health Complex both state that Rakibul died of electrocution.
After the incident, the plaintiff also admitted that his son had died of electrocution. Three and a half months later, on November 21, he filed the complaint with the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka, alleging that his son had been deliberately killed by electric shock.
Attempts to contact the plaintiff, Rakibul’s father Md Rafiqul Islam, were unsuccessful. His mobile number was found to be off.
Rafiqul’s cousin, SA Mukul, said that Rafiqul did not file a case or apply to any court. Instead, two unknown individuals took his ID card and documents under the pretense of providing a donation.
Rafiqul has demanded a clear investigation into why the complaint was made to the International Crimes Tribunal using his name.
Mukul wrote on Facebook that: “Rakibul Islam Rocky died instantly after being electrocuted while hoisting the flag at Paikgachha’s Chandkhali Bazar on August 5, during the student discrimination movement, following news of the fall of the Awami League government. Rakibul’s father, who is very poor and partially blind, did not file the complaint; someone else used his name without his consent.”
First Information Report (FIR) mentions that “during the anti-discrimination student movement aimed at quota reform in July-August, Rakibul Hasan took to the streets on July 17 to protest the firing on students during the July 16 movement. As the movement gained momentum, Rakibul became a leader. To suppress the movement, law enforcement agencies and Awami League affiliates, including the Jubo League, and Chhatra League, allegedly unleashed violence on unarmed students. On August 5, a procession was held in Chandkhali village of Paikgachha upazila of Khulna. To suppress the procession, law enforcement forces and the accused allegedly opened fire, injuring many.
“The accused then planned to electrocute the protesters by connecting electricity to bamboo and electric poles lying in the middle of the road. Rakibul Hasan was electrocuted while leading a procession with a flag tied to a bamboo pole. He collapsed and died on the spot. The protesters took him to Paikgachha Upazila Health Complex, where he was declared dead. The details of the incident were widely circulated in various media and social media. Rakibul’s body was buried in the family graveyard after the funeral prayer on August 6. Through such actions, the accused committed crimes and crimes of genocide under Section 3(2/4(1/4(2) of the International Crimes Tribunal Act, 1973.”
Hedait was also falsely accused during the Awami League regime for reporting vote counting discrepancies. He was arrested under the Digital Security Act during the national elections on December 30, 2018.
After 48 hours in custody, he was released on bail and later acquitted after a two-year investigation.
On the night of December 30, 2018, Khulna Returning Officer Mohammad Helal Hossain initially announced that more than 22,000 votes were cast in Khulna-1 (Dakop-Batiaghat) constituency than the total number of voters.
He later revised and re-declared the results. This discrepancy was reported by Dhaka Tribune and other media outlets. Subsequently, a case was filed under the Digital Security Act against two journalists from Dhaka Tribune and Manabzamin at Batiaghata Police Station.
Hedait was arrested from the Gallamari area on January 1, 2019.
